What's meant to be, will always be in the
end.' These words seemed wise, yet Kalus could find no comfort in
them.
'But my stomach crawls without her. My heart is in my throat, and I
cannot sleep. If I lose her there will be nothing. Nothing at all.'
'You haven't lost her, son.' With this he looked ruefully
toward Kataya. 'And if I'm any judge, you won't. Just be
steady, with open arms, and she'll come back to you in time.'
But as McIntyre continued to study the younger man, he saw that his
expression remained deeply troubled, so much so that he was truly
touched, as Kalus had been at the simple confusion of Ishmael.
'If it helps, I'll tell her what you meant just now. Kataya and I
understood. She's just too close, and can't see it.'
'Would you really do that?'
'Of course.'
'Thank you,' said Kalus, though his fear was not abated. 'I
have to go somewhere and think.'
Bewildered and restless, Kalus called to the cub, and went walking off
in no particular direction, perhaps heading vaguely toward the solace of
the sea.
He tried to tell himself that things would work out---that he would one
day understand and be more comfortable among the baffling maze of human
interaction. But it was no use. What was he doing here, surrounded by
people and emotions he could not begin to read? Is this what Sylviana
had wanted?
He found himself thinking, with sudden longing, of the world and way of
life he had known in the Valley.
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